Holy angels, guardians of those blazing chasms, help me to call to mind those souls, so holy and resigned, from the bowels of flames that torment them. Make us recognize among them our fathers, our mothers, our sisters and brothers. Let their cries, so tender and heart-rending, capable of splitting the mountains and mollifying cruelty itself, reach and penetrate our ears.
All the above text is by Father Charles Arminjon, from the book The End of the Present World. Father Arminjon goes on to say, "Saint Jerome and several Doctors are of the opinion that, when the Holy Sacrifice is being offered for the intention of a deceased person, he ceases to suffer the pains of Purgatory for the whole duration of the ceremony."
It is still October, not quite the month of the Holy Souls, but knowing what we do about the Holy Souls, imagine what your offering of Holy Communion can do for them. They can only participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice by our intercession. Our prayers and good works do much to alleviate their suffering, but it is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that earns them the most relief. Remember them at every Mass throughout the year.
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5 comments:
I often offer Mass and/or Communion for the Holy Souls. We have parishioners who regularly offer Masses for the Forgotten Souls (every First Friday). The Holy Souls are not forgotten in our Church. That's interesting about them not suffering pain for the duration of the Mass. I'll have to be more specific in my intentions. Also, if you want to have Masses said at our parish, let me know. Fr. Tom does 10 Masses a week that we can offer intentions for.
Shirley, that is when the Mass is being offered for the suffering soul, that their sufferings are ceased for it's duration.
With this additional information, to your past post, this book sounds like a must have.
The topic links well to the post you put about the Xmas mass and the Holy Souls. I didn't know if I should go back to that post but since you posted on this topic, I'm glad to say I was able to find 2 priests who will offer one of their Xmas masses for this.
Anon, that is so wonderful that you have two Masses scheduled for the Holy Souls at Christmas! God bless you for doing that! They will reward you richly by their holy intercession, I am sure.
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family. God bless you.
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